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Home My Public Portal About2005-09-08 Budget Hearing296 COUNCIL MINUTES FIRST BUDGET NEARING - SEPTEMBER 08. 2005 The First Budget Hearing of Bal Harbour Village was held on Thursday, September 8, 2005, in the Council Chambers at Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Mayor Roth. The roll was called and those present were: Also present: Mayor Seymour "Sy" Roth Assistant Mayor Howard J. Berlin Councilman Joel S. Jacobi Councilman Jean Rosenfield Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager Ellisa Horvath, Village Clerk Andrea Greenblatt, Admin. Assistant Christopher Wallace, Finance Director Stephen Helfman, Village Attorney Absent: Councilman Jaime M. Sanz As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Village resident Dina Cellini. 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mrs. Horvath announced that the Bai Harbour Village rolled -back millage rate is 2.536 mills. The proposed millage rate is 2.902 mills, which is 14.43% greater than the rolled -back rate. 3. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED TAX MILLAGE RATEAND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED BUDGETS Mr. Treppeda conducted a Powerpoint presentation reviewing the Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2005/2006, highlighting the following items: • Taxable Property Values Increased by 23.2% • Bal Harbour's Millage is the 5th Lowest in the County • Chart Showing Bal Harbour's Millage Rate since 1978 • Comparison of Taxes of Year -to -Year Taxes • Expenditure by Department Law Enforcement — 39% General Government —18% Building & Zoning —12% Roads/Streets & Open Space — 9% Solid Waste — 7% Executive — 5% Park & Recreation — 4% Legislative — 4% Finance — 2% • Expenditure Increase/Decrease by Department • Budget Increase Adjusted for Restricted Revenues Bal Harbour Village — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2005 1 297 • Largest Expenditure Increases/Decreases General Government Building Department Police Parks and Recreation • Bal Harbour Total Tax Bill Comparison Rate Decrease of 1.53% • Largest Revenue Sources • Water Fund Increase 24.3% (increase from $1.85 to $2.30 per thousand gallons) • Sewer Fund Increase 21.5% (increase from $2.84 to $3.45 per thousand gallons) Mr. Treppeda explained that the building department revenue can only be used for building department expenses. Mayor Roth pointed out that the total budget increase is $587,074. Mayor Roth opened the public hearing. Dina Cellini, resident— 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned if the maintenance of the open space located to the east of the guardgate between Park Drive and Collins Avenue and between Harbour Way East and West are provided for under the Open Spaces/Parks budget. Mr. Treppeda responded yes. Ms. Cellini questioned if that's provided for under 539.500.342. Mr. Treppeda advised that it's in several different line items, but that could be one of them. Ms. Cellini discussed two items budgeted (North Parking Lot under the Bridge $25,000 and Extra Salaries for Inspectors for One Bal Harbour Construction $50,000) and questioned if that money will be reimbursed by WCI as part of the Development Plan. Mr. Treppeda advised that fees for the inspectors are covered by the permit fees for that project. He clarified that its not coming out of taxpayer dollars. Ms. Cellini thanked the Village for streamlining the Security District budget by removing the contingency and other items, to reduce the annual assessment. Betsy Bystock, resident— 80 Park Drive #1 & #5, advised that the tax increase is okay for her firstapartment, since she has homestead exemption, but advised that it's a huge increase on her second apartment. She questioned what she can do to appeal that. Mr. Treppeda advised that on her tax bill there should be a number provided. Councilman Jacobi advised that she needs to go through the County for that. Mr. Helfman explained that for particular assessments there is a separate appeal process that is handled through the County. There being no additional discussion, Mayor Roth closed the public hearing. 4. RESOLUTION - ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE MILLAISE RATES A resolution was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath, adopting the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2005/2006. Mayor Roth opened the meeting for public discussion. There being no comments, Mayor Roth closed the meeting for public discussion. Mayor Roth passed the gavel to make a motion. Bal Harbour Village — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2005 2 298 A motion was offered by Mayor Roth and seconded by Councilman Jacobi to approve the resolution adopting a tentative millafe rate for fiscal year 2005/2006. The motion carried unanimously (4-0), with Councilman Sanz absent, Thus becoming: RESOLUTION NO. 674 A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 5. ORDINANCES FIRST READING/PUBLIC NEARING: An ordinance was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath, as follows: ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR ALL VILLAGE FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2006; APPROPRIATING REVENUES AND OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,132.128; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The public hearing was opened by Mayor Roth. Assistant Mayor Berlin discussed Section 519.500.8100 (Surf-Bal-Bay Library) and questioned the contract for it. Mr. Treppeda explained that the Village Attorney David Wolpin has reviewed the language and feels that the Village is obligated for one more year, but suggested that the Village send notice to reserve its right to terminate. Councilman Jacobi thinks that the Village should wait to send notice. Mayor Roth suggested waiting 120-150 days prior to the expiration date. Mr. Treppeda advised that notice has to be given three months prior to October 1st. He will have Mr. Wolpin review the contract again to see if there are other clauses that would provide the Village with another way out. Assistant Mayor Berlin thinks that the Village is grossly overpaying for this. Mayor Roth and Councilman Rosenfield agreed. Mayor Roth explained that Bay Harbor had previously advised that they would be pulling out of the library and after they did a straw canvas decided not to. The Council discussed the library usage by Village residents. Mr. Treppeda advised that Bal Harbour's usage is the lowest of the three cities. Assistant Mayor Berlin thinks that the facility opening in Sunny Isles is superior. He doesn't want the deadline to be missed next year. He thinks that if Surfside is told now about the Village's plan to withdraw, then maybe they will think of ways to streamline the budget, improve the service and the quality, etc. Mr. Helfman suggested that the Village Attorneys bring back a resolution for the Village to opt out and have a discussion whether to submit it immediately, effective immediately, and see how Surfside treats it. There being no additional comments, Mayor Roth closed the public hearing. A motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Rosenfield to approve this Ordinance. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Roth aye; Assistant Mayor Berlin aye; Councilman Jacobi aye; Councilman Rosenfield aye; Councilman Sanz absent. 6. ANNOUNCEMENT: Mayor Roth announced that the next budget hearing date is September 19, 2005, at 5:01 p.m., at Bal Harbour Village Hall. He advised that the Bal Harbour Village — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2005 3 299 -regular Council meeting is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the same date. Mayor Roth announced that the Village Council of the Village of Bal Harbour has tentatively adopted a millage rate of 2.902 mills and this is the same millage rate as last year. He reported that the proposed millage rate is 14.43% greater than the roll -back rate of 2.536 mills and property taxes will increase by 14.43%. He explained that a final decision on the millage rate, property tax levy, and the budget will be held at 5:01 p.m., Monday, September 19, 2005, in the Council Chambers at Village Hall. 7. ADJOURNS There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Rosenfield to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0), with Councilman Sanz absent, and the meetinz adjourned at 5:27Am. Mayo Seymour Roth }fittest: G� Ellisa Horvath, CMC Village Clerk Bal Harbour Village — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2005 4